mira mesa history comes alive! - nebula.wsimg.com
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Mira MesaHistoryComesAlive!
Albert I QuirogaAgency
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“I am the new State Farm agent here in Mira Mesa. I have been in the insurance industry since 1996. I have aBachelor of Science from Cal State Univ. of San Bernardino in Business Administration and a minor in InternationalBusiness. Since my graduation I have worked towards opening my own business. Now I have had the opportunity totake advantage of State Farm’s Internship. In this nine month internship, I was able to achieve these licenses:Product & Casualty Insurance, Life Insurance, Series 6, Series 63 and Notary License. In the beginning of 2013, Iwill start classes with State Farm for my mortgage license. As you can see I am well rounded so that I can assist mycurrent and new customers. I have staff that are also licensedin Product & Casualty and Life and my team also speaksSpanish and Tagalog.
As a dedicated small business owner and to the Mira Mesacommunity, I am also dedicated to my family. I am married toMarisa Quiroga and we have a four year old little girl namedMadelynn Quiroga and a one year old named Caleb Quiroga.We love spending our weekends at Disneyland. My wife Marisacurrently has a Product and Casualty license, however herfocus is on our two children!
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for advertising information call 858-335-2484 or [email protected] page 3
©2012 Mira Mesa Living. All Rights Reserved. Neither this publication nor any part thereof may be reproduced in any form, for any use without the written permission of the copyright owner. Contents of Mira Mesa Living are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the staff at Mira Mesa Living. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorse-ment by Mira Mesa Living. The information in this publication is gathered in a way to ensure maximum accuracy. Mira Mesa Living cannot, and does not, guarantee the correctness of information, or the absence of errors or omissions, or against the presence of unintentional inclusions. Mira Mesa Living accepts no responsibility for ad contents or representations. Each advertiser is solely responsible for ad content.Representations made regarding the products, services or conditions are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
Michelle Tsai, Publisher Ms. Tsai holds an MBA with an emphasis in finance and a BAin marketing from University of San Diego. She has lived in theMira Mesa neighborhood for nearly a decade. In that time shehas joined several committees including serving as VicePresident of the Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Tsaibelieves her strengths include connecting people and groupsand building long-standing relationships in the community.
Steve Nicoles, EditorMr. Nicoles worked for nearly a decade as a professionaltelevision news reporter. He brings that experience alongwith several journalism awards including a regional Emmy™to Mira Mesa Living. As a graduate of San Diego StateUniversity, Mr. Nicoles is excited to be living and working inSan Diego while focusing on one of the city’s most diverseand unique neighborhoods.
Angela Quisumbing, Writer Mrs. Quisumbing is a Mira Mesa Mom, wife andentrepreneur. She received her Master's Degree in StrategicCommunications and her bachelor's degree in businessadministration from National University. Mrs. Quisumbingenjoys celebrating motherhood and supporting localbusinesses. She is co-founder of San Diego Mom's Night Outand founder of MiraMesaMom.com
Alexander Nguyen, WriterMr. Nguyen is an actor and award-winning freelance writer inSan Diego. He has won a Society of Professional Journalistsaward and was nominated for the Asian Heritage Awards forhis work. He is a member of the Asian American JournalistsAssociation.
Pam Stevens, WriterMs. Stevens is a freelance writer, librarian, and activecommunity volunteer in Mira Mesa, where she and herhusband, Jeff, have lived since 1980. She is the author ofMira Mesa, a photo history in Arcadia Publishing's Images ofAmerica series.
Amanda Guerrero, WriterMs. Guerrero is a journalism senior at San Diego StateUniversity. She works as a copy editor and news writer for hercollege newspaper. She is also an intern for Patch.com andhopes to continue working in print and/or online media. Inaddition to writing, she enjoys reading, knitting and playingthe piano. Follow her on Twitter: @amandamguerrero
On the Cover: The cover photo of Mira Mesa, by Pam Stevens, in Arcadia Publishing’sImages of America series, is a December 1969 San Diego Unified School Districtphoto that shows students playing outside Mira Mesa’s first “school in houses.”
To Advertise: [email protected] To Submit Articles, News and Events: [email protected]
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Michael Francisco, NMLS# 159895Mortgage Loan Consultant II
Cell: 858.603.6911Fax: [email protected] • www.kinecta.org/mfrancisco
page 4 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
Mira Mesa HistoryComes Alive
By: Pam Stevens
When Mira Mesa’s first tract homeswere built in 1969, families flocked tothe new community for its affordablehousing – but there were no schools,parks, or other community facilities,not even a grocery store! Mira Mesa’sfirst market, Bradshaw’s, didn’t openuntil mid-1971 in the youngcommunity’s first shopping center, onthe south side of Mira Mesa Boulevardbetween Marbury and Greenford. By1975, the store had become an AlphaBeta, then Lucky’s, Albertson’s, andnow is the location of Seafood City.Through the years the area behind themarket, whatever its name, has beenthe traditional line-up location for MiraMesa’s 4th of July parade.
Families who had purchased newhomes the summer before discoveredthere were no local schools. Futureschool sites were designated on themap, but there were no funds and atthe time no funding plan to pay forbuilding schools. Mira Mesa’s “schoolsin houses” are a unique aspect ofcommunity history. These temporaryelementary schools were located intract houses leased by developers to
the San Diego Unified School Districtthrough the early 1970s in response toMira Mesa residents’ demands thattheir children needed local schools.The houses later had their interiorsremodeled and were sold as homes.
The temporary Mira Mesa ElementarySchool, the first “school in houses,”opened on December 1, 1969, in twohouses on Harlington Drive atBuckhurst Avenue. A section ofBuckhurst was blocked off as aplayground. It drew students from MiraMesa’s first subdivision, in the vicinityof Westmore Road north of Mira MesaBoulevard. By May 1970 the complexhad expanded to four houses andserved 180 students, grades K-6. Therewere three other “school in houses”locations in the early 1970s: on ArrowRock Avenue at Gold Coast Drive(across from the current MasonElementary School); on Avenida delGato (across the street from SandburgElementary School); and on NewSalem Street west of Montongo(around the corner from HickmanElementary School.) Portables on future elementary schoolsites were the next phase of schools in
continues on page 6
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Four Miss Mira Mesas of the 1980s (l. to r.): Olivia Austria, 1983; Cindy Vales, 1984;Lani Ardelle, 1985; Sharon Cole, 1986.
1969 SDUSD photo of “school in houses” classroom at temporary Mira Mesa Elementary School.
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Mira Mesa today has schools, parks,a library, industrial and retail centers,and several supermarkets. A numberof second generation Mira Mesansnow live in Mira Mesa; adults whogrew up in Mira Mesa themselvesand are raising their own familieshere. Today Mira Mesa is no longerisolated, but the community’s “cando” spirit, pioneer friendliness, and“neighbor helping neighbor” attitudehave remained. To learn about any ofMira Mesa’s volunteer groups, a goodplace to start is the community linkspage on the Mira Mesa Town Councilwebsite, miramesatowncouncil.org.
Forty years after its first tract homessprang up on the mesa, Mira Mesatoday is a vibrant neighborhoodcommunity and a good place to liveand raise a family.
Images of America: Mira Mesa isavailable at Barnes & Noble andWalgreens in Mira Mesa,amazon.com, or direct from theauthor, Pam Stevens [email protected]
page 6 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
Mira Mesa, starting in 1971. There werestill no local secondary schools, however,and Mira Mesa’s need for moreclassrooms and permanent facilities forits elementary students kept growing.The Mira Mesa Town Council organizedmarches for schools. Parents walked,pushing their babies in strollers to draw
attention to theneed. Asuccessful schoolbond passed in1974 and MiraMesa’s firstpermanent schoolbuildings openedin 1976.
From itsbeginning in 1969, when the name “MiraMesa” conjured up images of tracthomes on an isolated mesa and notmuch more, Mira Mesa has grown tobecome the bustling, happily multi-ethnic, centrally located communitywithin the City of San Diego that it istoday. Mira Mesa is San Diego’s largestsuburban area, stretching from LosPeñasquitos Canyon Preserve on thenorth to MCAS Miramar on the south,and from I-15 on the east to I-805 on thewest, with a population of 72,762,according to the 2010 census.
Mira Mesa History Comes Alive (cont.)
Bari Vaz Named 2012 Mira Mesa
Volunteer of the YearBy: Pam Stevens
When Mira Mesa resident Bari Vazmoved to Mira Mesa from NewOrleans in 2008, she visited the MiraMesa Town Council/PlanningGroup/Recreation Council tent at theMira Mesa Street Fair to get betteracquainted with the community. MiraMesa Town Council president Ted Brengel remembershe enjoyed chatting with Bari that day, and howimpressed he was with her energy and enthusiasm forher neighbors and community issues and events. Baribegan regularly attending Mira Mesa Town Council andPlanning Group meetings, and rapidly became a leaderin most of Mira Mesa’s community groups. At theDecember 2012 Mira Mesa Town Council meeting,MMTC members voted to select Bari Vaz as 2012 MiraMesa Volunteer of the Year.
Bari Vaz currently serves as Chairman of the Mira MesaCommunity Planning Group, and previously chaired aPlanning Group subcommittee that reviewed the futurehigh occupancy vehicle onramp to Interstate 15, workingfor months to develop mitigation plans. Bari serves asFirst Vice-President of the Mira Mesa Town Council. Shechaired the Town Council Redistricting Subcommittee,attending almost all of the City Redistricting Committeemeetings, with her efforts leading to a result beneficial toour community. She has chaired the Mira Mesa Fourthof July committee for the past two years, andrepresented Mira Mesa as an Ambassador for the SanDiego Foundation's "Our Greater San Diego Vision."Bari is a leader in creating the new MMTC Foundation,a tax-deductible non-profit now under formation as asister group to Mira Mesa Town Council. Bari also serveson the board of the Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch RetiredSenior Volunteer Program, Inc. and as Chairman of theMira Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Bari lived in NewOrleans prior to coming to Mira Mesa and was just asactive in that community, among other efforts helpingresidents with the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
Bari Vaz will be honored at the annual MMTC Volunteerof the Year dinner in spring 2013. A dinner committee isnow organizing to plan the event, co-chaired by MMTCBoard Member Christina Keene and Pam Stevens. Exactdate and location are still to be determined, but theevent will likely take place in April. For moreinformation, check the MMTC website,miramesatowncouncil.org.
The History of Wangenheim
Christ Cornerstone Update
By: Liz SloanWangenheim Junior High opened its 36acre campus in 1977 with the seventhgrade meeting in bungalows. In 1978 thefirst permanent buildings were openedand Wangenheim became a grade 7-9school the following year. WhenChallenger Middle School first openedthey met on the Wangenheim campusuntil their buildings were completed.During that year, one school ran on amorning session and the other school ranin the afternoon. In September of 1993
Wangenheim became WangenheimMiddle School and we now teach sixth,seventh, and eighth graders.
Julius F. Wangenheim was a civic leader,patron of the arts, developer of BalboaPark, a scientist, and leading businessmanand financier of San Diego. San Diego’sCentral Library houses Mr. Wangenheim’spersonal collection of rare books in TheWangenheim Room. He died in 1942 atthe age of 75.
Over the next few months,parents will be making theimportant decision as to whichschool they will send theirchildren for the next schoolyear. Before making thisimportant decision, please comeand visit our school where YourChild’s Success is our mission.Christ the CornerstoneAcademy offers academicexcellence for preschool three-and four-year-olds through thefifth grade. For those students inkindergarten through fifth grade,in addition to our outstandingclassroom teachers, students willalso have teachers for music,physical education andcomputers. They willhave those classes twicea week for thirtyminutes. In addition totheir full musicalcurriculum, the thirdthrough fifth graders willalso learn to read notesas they learn to play therecorder. Computerclass is a real studentfavorite. For gradeskindergarten throughfifth, all the studentslearn to work inMicrosoft Word, Excel,Power Point andPublisher. In computer
class each child has their owncomputer to work with and theywork through an excellentcomputer curriculum. We alsoknow how important exercise is tothe wellbeing of your child, sophysical education is filled withmany fun and energetic activities.Small class sizes meet the needs ofeach individual student. We havedaycare available before and afterschool and many afternoon clubsare available.
On January 29th, Christ theCornerstone Academy will behaving an informational night forfamilies that would like to knowabout our kindergarten program
for next year. We will let parentsknow what their children shouldknow before starting kindergarten.If you are looking for a well-balanced program of spiritual andeducational experiences for yourchild come check us out. Ourwebsite is: www.ctc-academy.orgor you can call us at (858)566-1741for additional information.
Christ the Cornerstone does notdiscriminate on the basis of race,religion, color, national or ethnicorigin in administration of itseducational policies, admissionpolicies, and athletic or otherschool programs.
“A GREAT PLACE TO GROWSINCE 1978”
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MMHS Student Paints Artwork on Walls of Mason Elementary Campus
By: Deborah Hall
The students and staff at MasonElementary are very grateful to AustinRosas, a junior at Mira Mesa HighSchool, for volunteering his time andcreative talents to add some uniqueart to their campus.
Like all the elementary schools inMira Mesa, Mason Elementary has alist of positive character traits theywould like their students to learn andembrace. The administrators ofMason Elementary, Principal DeidreHardson and Vice Principal DawnPowell, wanted a way to showcasethese traits around the campus fortheir students to see every school day.
Before the start of this school year,
Austin was given the opportunity tomake this a reality. While his peers wereenjoying the last few weeks of theirsummer break, Austin was busydeveloping conceptual drawings. One ofhis earliest ideas was to incorporateMason’s school mascot, a lion, in thedesigns. In all, he created twelve differentdrawings, one for each character trait forevery month of the year.
After the drawings were approved bythe administrators of MasonElementary, Austin went to workpainting them throughout the school’scampus. Starting in early September,Austin worked nearly three months tocomplete this task. Usually he workedafter the end of his school day at MiraMesa High School and sometimes
even going in on weekends.
While painting, Austin often attractedgroups of students who would sit withjoy, fascination, and amazement asthey watched him work. For manyMason students, teachers, and staff hesoon became known as, “The Artist.”This title is fine with Austin whoalways had an interest in art anddrawing, and has aspirations ofbecoming a Disney Imagineer.
As for Austin, he felt very privilegedto be given this opportunity.Reflecting on the experience, he said,“I have always had an interest in art,so finally using my skills in a real lifesituation and given the chance tobeautify a fantastic school was apersonal reward.”
What does it take to be the best in San Diego?
Start with dedication; 180 hours of practice and game time, 680 hours of schoolplus tutoring at the field to keep your grades above the minimum GPA to playand through in hours of coaching & parents cheering and you’re on your way.
That’s exactly the kind of dedication the Pee Wee division of the Mira MesaChargers had this season. Not that other teams didn’t, the Chargers had 4 teams
go to the playoffs, and two of themmade it to the final round, includingthe oldest team (Midgets). But thepath to victory is so competitive thateven getting one trophy is a hugeaccomplishment. Head Coach RandyRoa sets the stage, “We had thehardest schedule in SDYFC and to
come out on top is a testament to thehard work we all put in, from the kidsall the way to the parents. It was acomplete team effort. We beatBalboa, Los Toros, Eastlake,Otay’s…we faced the best andprevailed.”
Mira Mesa Chargers win the Pee Wee Super Q Bowl!10 & 11 year olds take home the San Diego county championship!
JOIN US SUNDAYSSCRIPPS MESA CAMPUS
Free Event6-8p | K-5th Grade
Hage Elementary SchoolRegister at
www.newbreak.org/kidsBring a pair of new socks to
donate to the homeless!
SOCK HOPSOCK HOPFriday, January 18thFriday, January 18th
9:00a & 10:45a
JOIN US SUNDAYSJOIN US SUNDASCRIPPS MESA CAMPUS
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page 8 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
Get involved in your community.
Join the Mira Mesa Town Council
The Mira Mesa Town Council (MMTC) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organizationpromoting community pride and the betterment of Mira Mesa.
WHAT DOES MMTC DO?
• Mira Mesa Street Fair on the third Saturday ofSeptember.
• Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks, a 37-year tradition, is one of the largest community cele-brations in San Diego.
• Verne Goodwin Scholarships recognize graduat-ing high school seniors for their volunteer service.
• Mira Mesa Banners along Mira Mesa Blvd pro-mote our community as well as local events andbusinesses.
• Mira Mesa Maintenance Assessment Districtmaintains landscaping along Mira Mesa Blvd andother major streets.
• Volunteer of the Year Dinner honors exceptionalvolunteers who enrich our community.
• Miss Mira Mesa & Miss Teen Mira Mesa Pag-eants serve to instill poise and pride in our youngwomen.
WHEN & WHERE DOES MMTC MEET?WHEN & WHERE DOES MMTC MEET?
First Monday of every month at 7 p.m.
Verne Goodwin Senior Center8460 Mira Mesa Blvd
(across from Mira Mesa High)
Meetings are open to EVERYONE.Community info is shared in a forum for identifying and
solving problems.
HOW DO I JOIN?HOW DO I JOIN?
Online at MiraMesaTownCouncil.org or pay with cash or check at a meeting. Membership is open to all MiraMesa residents age 16 and older. Annual membership rates:
• $20 for residents, $10 for additional residents in the same household• $10 for students or seniors (age 60+)• $50 for business members or $150 for a joint MMTC & Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce membership.
Jan. 7 - Lorie Zapf to swear in MMTC Board, 7pm
Mira Mesa Senior Center.
page 10 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
Mira Mesa News & Announcements
for advertising information call 858-335-2484 or [email protected] page 11
858-566-0641 • MiraMesaChurch.com
9696 Candida StreetSan Diego, CA 92126
Off Kearny Villa Rd, 1 Block north of Miramar RdSUNDAYS 10AM
JoinUs!
San Diego Self Storage Matches Donations to “Bottles for Babies” Campaign BenefitingMilitary Families
San Diego Self Storage (SDSS) is matching all financial donations fromthe 2012 “Bottles for Babies” collection campaign to benefit deservingmilitary families. SDSS is donating a total of $1,200.00 to the non-profitorganization MOM4USA. MOM4USA is a 501c3 non-profitorganization that provides baby care packages to first-time active-dutyparents, wounded warrior veterans and active-duty reservists.MOM4USA also offers assistance to military families through theirmobile food pantry and facilitates the collection and distribution of usedfurniture and household appliances.
Mira Mesa Theatre Guild AuditionsJust in time for tax season, Mira Mesa Theatre Guild will be performinga modern classic farce, Love, Sex and the I.R.S., by William Van Zandtand Jane Milmore. Directed by Tim Arends, the production runs Fridayand Saturday evenings March 1 – 16, 2013, for 6 performances atWangenheim Middle School. Auditions are scheduled Jan. 7 and 8 at6:30pm(with call-backs Jan. 9) in the Wangenheim theatre, 9230 GoldCoast Drive, San Diego 92126.
Roles needed: 5 men, 3 women. For character descriptions, auditionsides, or other details, see: http://www.miramesatheatreguild.org/irs.htmlor CALL: 858-222-4815.
A Conversation with David Brin January 29 at Mira Mesa Library
Meet award-winning San Diego science fiction author, scientist, and futuristDavid Brin at the Mira Mesa Branch Library, 8405 New Salem St. for “AConversation with David Brin” on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, from 6:30 to8pm. Join members of the Mira Mesa Banned Book Club for a discussionof Brin’s new novel, Existence, and meet the author for conversation. Thisevent is free and open to the public. For more information about the author,see www.davidbrin.com. For questions about the event, call 858-538-8165,or email Pam Stevens, [email protected].
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CUISINE OF INDIA
Happy New Year 2013! Making A DifferenceIn Our Community!DINE OUT NIGHT FUNDRAISER:
Parents & Friends of our Mira Mesa Schools THANK YOU for supporting yourlocal school fundraisers. Join us for a Dine Out Night Fundraiser from Noon to9 PM at Chick Fil A on Jan. 16 and on Feb. 20 at El Pollo Loco Show thisarticle or Flyer at time of purchase & a percentage of your meal purchase will bedonated to Hickman Elementary.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2013 TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE?
Two passions of mine that impact the quality of all our lives, is our Health & ourFinances. There are simple daily habits we can change to live healthier & wealthier.1. Move more, Eat healthier & take Quality, Organic Supplements. We have moreenergy by taking Nutrilite Supplements. 2. Take control of your finances and workon paying off your consumer debt. Books that have helped my family are, The FourLaws of Debt Free Prosperity & Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey.
REAL ESTATE UPDATE:
Mortgage Interest Rates are at an all-time low topurchase a home or refinance. Housing prices aretrending up & inventory is low, which makes it a greattime to sell your home. We have had some amazingShort-Sale Success results for our clients at RC Realty.
To keep our Mortgage Interest Deduction &Charitable Gift Donations call our Senators, to makeyour voice heard. (202) 224-3553 & (202) 224-3841
Give us a call & let’s chat to see how we can help youachieve your “Good Life” Goals.
Tracee Denby858-220-5566HomesByTracee.com
DRE 01848551
page 12 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
Tet Festival Planned for Mira Mesa Community Park
A Tet Festival celebrating the Lunar New Year is being planned forMira Mesa Community Park on the weekend of Feb. 15, 16 and17. Tentative times are 5pm-10pm Friday, Feb. 15; 11am-10pmSaturday, Feb. 16; 11am-5pm Sunday, Feb. 17. Details will beposted at www.sdtet.com.
Councilmember Lorie Zapf to Swear in MMTC Board Jan. 7
6th District San Diego City Councilmember Lorie Zapf will attendthe Jan. 7 Mira Mesa Town Council meeting to swear in the 2013MMTC Board. The meeting starts at 7pm at the Verne GoodwinMira Mesa Senior Center, 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd. Everyone iswelcome! For more details see www.miramesatowncouncil.org.
New Name, Same Community-Based ChurchFor more than 20 years, Praise Fellowship Church Pastor LorronSluyter, his wife and two sons have worked hard to help familiesand individuals of the community and in the process have seenmarriages restored, families brought back together and individualsconquer past addictions. As the church is growing the name ischanging and on Jan. 20th, 2013 Praise Fellowship is rebrandingitself as Generations Life Center (GLC) and adding a secondservice. GLC will meet Sundays at the Mira Mesa Epicentre withservices at 9am and 10:30am. For more info on this uniquechurch visit GLCSanDiego.com.
Mira Mesa Lanes Youth Bowlers Support Toys for Tots
The 136 youth bowlers at Mira Mesa Lanes, who range in agefrom 3 to 21, collected 1300 toys in their “Toys for Tots” drive thispast fall, as well as $3,000 in cash which they used to purchaseadditional toys. According to Christy Balla, Junior Bowling directorat Mira Mesa Lanes, the Marines in charge of the program saidtheirs was this year’s biggest Toys for Tots donation in San DiegoCounty.
By: Alexander Nguyen
A well-known, upscale Asiangrocery store chain opens its firstSan Diego store in Mira Mesa,taking over a spot that used tohouse Ralph’s Supermarket atthe corner of Westview Parkwayand Mira Mesa Boulevard.
H Mart, which is based inWoodside, N.Y., has been inoperation since 1982 with 42stores across the nation, many ofthem on the East Coast. Since
2006, the chain has beenexpanding westward opening itsfirst West Coast store in Seattle.The Mira Mesa store is the com-pany’s first in San Diego County.
H Mart, owned by HanahreumGroup, is short for “Han AhReum,” which means “One ArmFull of Groceries” in Korean,according the company’s website.
H Mart joins a growing numberof Asian grocery stores, such as,Seafood City, Vinh Hung and
Lucky Seafood, in Mira Mesa,signaling a growing Asian popu-lation. According to the 2010census, Asians make up 46 per-cent of the more than 72,000residents of Mira Mesa.
According to its website, H Marthas a reputation for fresh pro-duce and seafood with a varietyof merchandise from SouthKorea, Japan and China, shippedin through Hanahreum’s ownAsian grocery wholesale compa-ny, Seoul Trading.
H Mart Opens in Mira Mesa
By: Lainie Hardman
Mira Mesa Girl Scouts enjoyed celebrating the100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in 2012. Wewould like to thank everyone in the Mira Mesacommunity for supporting us throughout theyear. Here are some upcoming events!
• It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! The 2013 GirlScout Cookie season runs from January27th to March 10th. Remember, all ordersplaced with Mira Mesa Girl Scouts benefitlocal troops in the area.
• Each year in February Girl Scouts partici-pate in "Thinking Day." Thinking Day is a
celebration in which troops are welcome topick a country and honor the GirlGuides/Girl Scouts in that country. Eachtroop creates a presentation board on theculture and history of their chosen countryand prepares a sample of a regional dish ordrink. This is also an opportunity for girlsinterested in scouting to join us and learnmore about Girl Scouts. Thinking Day2013 is February 25 from 6-8pm.
• Do you have a daughter interested in GirlScouts? Are you looking to volunteer orsponsor Girl Scouts? For information,check out our Facebook page atfacebook.com/MiraMesaGirlScouts.
Mira Mesa Girl Scouts Corner
Promote your business:
• Host a Chamber BusinessMeeting or Mixer.
• Host a Chamber "Lunch andLearn" session.
• Join the Chamber's SpeakersBureau
• Advertise your businessthrough "Shop Mira Mesa"(enhanced site launchingJanuary 14, 2013)
• Attract member businessesthrough "Member-To-MemberDiscounts."
• Add your business listing to theMMCC Business Directory
• Advertise in the MMCC weeklyeNewsletter.
• Showcase your business in theMMCC Farmer's Market Booth.
858-429-5759
Business and professional people working together for the common
good of our community!
Mira Mesa Chamber ofCommerice at "The Joint"
Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Photo by: Ted Brengel, www.BrengelProductions.com
for advertising information call 858-335-2484 or [email protected] page 13
Buying? Selling? Let’s Chat!
858-361-5229email: [email protected]
Happy New Year Mira Mesa!
By: Angela Quisumbing
Valentine’s Day is all about the love we have foreach other, right? Not about how much wespend. It’s nice to splurge once in a while, but ifone of your New Year’s resolutions is to savemoney or stay on a budget, then it’s okay to getcreative this Valentine’s Day.
According to the Retail Advertising andMarketing Association, the average annualValentine’s Day spending is about $13.19 Billion.Now, that’s a lot of money! Don’t get caughtoverspending this year, instead get creative andgive a gift that comes from the heart, notyour wallet!
Here are a few sweetValentine’s Day gift ideas tocover the whole family.
Make a home cookedmeal. Whether it’s justyou and your hubby, orthe entire family, youcan’t go wrong withmaking a special homecooked meal. Make it fun,create a menu, bust outwith the best silverware and
dish set. The best part about this idea isthat you don’t have to fight the crowds.
Make love coupons. Create love couponsonline at no cost that will offer your lovedones the ability to redeem special services, suchas a big hug, help cleaning, a day at the park, ora day off! If for your significant other, don’t beafraid to get creative if you know what I mean.
Go green. Instead of going out on a fancy boatcruise, go out and take a hike or a nice walk atthe local park. There are so many beautiful trailshere in San Diego, Lake Miramar, Torrey PinesReserve, Mission Trails just to name a few. Pack
a lunch, a few sweet treats and you’reready for a romantic picnic under the
stars.
Get crafty with paperflowers. Roses can be abit overrated, not tomention pricey duringthis time of year. Don’t
get me wrong, they arebeautiful, but when you’re
on a budget, get creative withfaux flowers. For craft time with
the kids make paper flowers, spraythem with perfume and they will last
for days! Thereare several tutori-
als online, and theyliterally costs less
than $5 to make.
Make heart-shapedsandwiches. Another fun
activity for the kids is to makeheart shaped sandwiches using
cookie cutters. You can usually find them in thedollar section at Target during this time of year.Getting the kids involved helps build morememories.
Search for local deals online. Finally, with somany deal sites available online, you can searchahead of time for the perfect gift at a discount-ed price. Get a great two for one deal for afuture date night. Get adventurous and findsomething you’ve always wanted to do, butcouldn’t afford until you found it on your cho-sen deal site!
Whatever you decide to do, make sure youshow and tell each other how much you loveeach other. Create memories, traditions and newbeginnings with your family. Happy Valentine’sDay.
For more ideas visit miramesamom.com.
Creative and Affordable Ways to Spend Valentine's Day
page 14 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]
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One Mom’s Resolution to Keep Running
By: Lysabeth Luansing-Garcia
Happy New Year! It is that time ofthe year to reset, refocus, and setgoals for the next twelve months.For many years, I set resolutions inthe first few days of each NewYear: save money, travel more,spend more time with family andlose weight. Each year, these goalsstart off full-throttle, but losespeed and momentum as themonths go by.
I was never much of a runner. Iactually hated running. Yet in2011, I challenged myself to runmy first half-marathon. 2011 wasfilled with training for theaccomplished half-marathon inOctober of that year. I wanted tostay motivated, so I set aresolution for the following year.
My resolution for 2012 was to runone organized race every month.When I shared my resolution withfriends and family, I was greetedwith raised eyebrows andexpressions of “wow.” I am notthe ideal representation of a
runner by any means. I’m 4’11”,my BMI says I’m “obese” and likeI said, I have always hatedrunning, so my goal of 12 runs in2012 was very ambitious.
Week by week, I ran in theafternoons and on the weekendsto train. The pressures of workingfull-time, being a wife and raisingmy two little boys sometimesdeterred me from being able totrain as much as I wanted. Notonly was my resolution aboutrunning, but also being able tomanage my life by giving dutifulattention to my work and family.My training for running eventuallybecame walking as the yearprogressed. Even so, I wascommitted to sticking to the goalof my 12 races. Fortunately forme, I had so many friends andfamily join me on my 12 runs for2012 resolution! Some werealready runners who were greatmotivation for me to keep going.Others who would not callthemselves “runners” joined me tohave some fun, be outdoors andget moving!
Month by month, I signed up fororganized walk/runs around SanDiego. Mud, rain, zombies,chocolate and running in costumeswere just a few of the uniquehurdles I overcame during mywalk/runs for 2012. For the monthof August, I had started the“Cupcake 26.2 Virtual Marathon”where starting on the 1st of eachmonth, participants have the entiremonth to complete 26.2 miles bywalking, running, or swimming.Once participants have completedtheir miles, they are encouraged totreat themselves to a yummy
cupcake as their "medal!”
My 2012 resolution evolved as theyear progressed. The running becamewalking, yet the goal wasaccomplished nonetheless. Ultimately,I learned more about myself and mylimits, and I was reminded of theawesome support system of friendsand family I have. I hope in 2013, weall find a way to reset and refocus ourlives to set goals and learn somethingnew about ourselves!
To read more about Lysabeth’s runsvisit her at garciamemories.com.
Materials:• Wood hearts in 2 sizes
(available at craft stores)• Silver glitter acrylic paint• Paintbrush• Drill (and small drill bit)• Cord in red
Directions:
1. Drill a small hole toward the topof each heart, not too close tothe top though; you don’t wantto risk splitting the wood.
2. Have your child paint thesmaller heart with two coasts ofsilver glitter paint. Set aside todry after each coat.
3. Your child can then thread the cord through the holein the small heart, and then through the hole in thelarge heart. Tie a knot at the top of the heart, and thentie the ends of the cord together to make a necklace.
Valentine’s Day Craft
The 8th annual “Taste of Mira Mesa” will be held on Wednesday,
March 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Gen-Probe (10210 Genetic Center Dr.)
Watch for event details in the upcoming issue ofMira Mesa Living Magazine or at the Mira Mesa High School
Foundation website: miramesahighschoolfoundation.org
Plan to attend this wonderful communityevent. Sample the delicious food fromseveral of the area restaurants. A silentauction will be held for gift baskets thatcontain a large variety of donated items.Proceeds raised at this event support all Mira Mesa schools, both public and private.
Mark your calendar! We hope to see you at thisupcoming community event!
Also, please help supportMira Mesa High School Athleticsby sponsoring or playing in ourGolf Tournament on May 5th -please check online for details!
for advertising information call 858-335-2484 or [email protected] page 15
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The Merry Go Around is high quality,play-based center serving children6 weeks-6 years. Now enrolling.
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MGA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
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page 16 to submit an article or events for publication e-mail [email protected]